Results 2,721-2,740 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I find the Minister's response measured and reasonable. On section 4, I have some concerns. I understand why the defence has been inserted in section 4(1), whereby if a child or vulnerable person against whom an offence is committed makes it known he or she does not want the offence to be reported to the Garda Síochána, this can be relied upon as a defence in a court case. In many...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Perhaps I stand alone, but I welcome the leaks. It is important that such information be in the public domain. The report clearly states that public service pay is too high and unsustainable, as everyone knows, and that reducing it, especially at the top levels, would be preferable to reducing numbers and affecting the delivery of services. This is common sense. The information should...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: These Houses are meant to debate difficult issues and different opinions. I feel strongly on this matter and I am seeking a debate with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, even though there has been no reform. According to recent information, taxation receipts have increased dramatically in the past five months, but our expenditure has exceeded targets by 3.6%. Between 2009 and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: No Minister takes competitiveness seriously. We need a firm debate on the issue. We need to reduce our economy's costs. For years, I have referred to the scandal that is legal fees, yet nothing has been done to arrest that situation.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: We need to take stock of what we are doing if we are to correct this economy and chart it on the right course. Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to extend a welcome to the 12,000 international pilgrims in Ireland for the Eucharistic Congress? Ireland Stand Up made a call yesterday evening. A welcome from the Taoiseach would be appropriate. They are adding to our economy and that should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: The points made by Senator White are worthy-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----of a debate. It has its genesis in the fragmentation of families.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the leader arrange for a debate on this issue?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I call on the Leader for a debate on the appalling report on the number of children who have lost their lives in the care of the HSE. Other Senators have referred to the matter and it is appropriate for the Minister to be in the House to address it. Some 90% of the abuse cases come under the remit of the health services. It is important that they are fit for purpose and it is appropriate...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Today is a red letter day for the Seanad, not so much because the Government was defeated on two votes, but because it has exposed a trend I have detected in the lower House over the past 13 or 14 months. I am reminded of a statement made in the lower House in 1934 which is worth putting on the record as it is symptomatic of what is happening here. The direct quotation is as follows: "......

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Where John A. Costello failed-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is endeavouring to succeed. The dismantling of our democratic institutions is a matter of grave concern-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----not to these Houses, but to the country at large.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: The muzzling of the Fine Gael Senators was symptomatic of an intention which is-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----adverse to the interests of the Irish people. The people need to be cautious.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the Leader consider rolling debates on the economic situation? This morning, I was alarmed to see an economist is predicting Ireland will slip back into recession. Any reasonable person would conclude that we are facing stagnation in the medium term. When the crisis broke there was much identification of the procyclical policies which gave rise to the depth of the economic crisis,...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State and the Bill he has introduced. It is unfortunate this Bill marks another small step when giant steps are needed to address Europe's economic problems. It has not reassured the markets and one wonders what ultimate policy initiatives will achieve that end. I spoke informally to someone earlier and I predict that it will happen in approximately 2020 when it...

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an Bille tábhachtach seo, Bille na gComhphobal Eorpach (Leasú) 2012 a phlé. The Bill has four component parts and I shall deal briefly with each of the instruments mentioned. The first, as the Tánaiste pointed out, deals with the increase in the number of MEPs from 736, I think, to 751. I do not welcome such a move because the European...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: What is the effect of pro-choice? Pro-abortion. Speak straight.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: A distortion of language.